2011 subaru legacy Reviews and News

2011 Subaru Legacy

By
Automobile Magazine
- 12/22/2010

The Legacy is Subaru's most long lived model name. For 2010, the Legacy was again updated making it a bigger and more sophisticated car than its earlier incarnations. There were 5 earlier incarnations that make the current Legacy what it is today. It's grown larger and somewhat less sporty over the years, but it is now more family practical. Subaru is applauded as one of the most receptive companies to customer concerns and complaints about models and correcting them. They have done a commendable job with the new Legacy, where users wanted more space, more power, and a more capable vehicle. The new vehicle is larger, offers Subaru's superb all wheel drive system and offers a variety of engine choices. The styling may not appeal to everyone and the larger engines don't sip the gasoline, but many will be able to overlook these shortcomings and find a wonderful vehicle for all season driving.

The engine choices for the Legacy are the base 2.5 liter four cylinder (opposed horizontally as is a Subaru trademark) making 170 HP and comes mated to either a 6 speed manual or a CVT transmission.

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The Subaru Legacy and its wagon counterpart, the Outback, share a lot of mechanicals, yet these two vehicles are quite different in how they drive. The Legacy sedan handles and steers much better, with noticeably less float. The continuously variable transmission is a bit of a drag, however. If you peg the throttle from a stop, it's painful to watch how slowly the tachometer needle climbs to its redline. In most situations, you run out of road before the needle reaches 5000 rpm. And yet peak power isn't made until 5600 rpm. The manual shift mode actually works quite well and makes the CVT more tolerable. The transmission also helps the Legacy return an EPA-estimated 31 mpg on the highway.

Optioned up to Limited trim, the Legacy doesn't feel like as good of a deal as it should be with the base four-banger and CVT. With zero options, the Legacy starts at $20,720 and returns 19/27 mpg if you can shift for yourself. The CVT's 31 mpg rating costs $1000 more and probably isn't a worthwhile investment if you can handle driving a manual. I don't think I'd bother adding any options to a Legacy unless I moved up to a 2.5GT. Subaru does basic cars very well, but it hasn't yet put together an interior that justifies the premium price that our test car's sticker commands.

The Legacy is very nice, attractive, but basic transportation with the added bonuses of all-wheel drive, a large back seat, and a big trunk. I agree with Phil, though, that the Limited trim level that we tested added a lot of extra features that push it into dangerous waters prowled by nicer, more powerful cars.

My colleagues are right; this Legacy isn't an STI. Subaru's boxer four-cylinder is an admirable engine, but it's a little wanting for power, especially in a mid-size car like the Legacy. Personally, I think the flat six, which eschews the CVT in favor of a five-speed automatic, is better suited for a sedan of this size.

2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited

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Recalls

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2010, THROUGH MAY 20, 2011. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE WIPER MOTOR BOTTOM COVER MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequences

IF THE COMPONENTS OVERHEAT, THE WIPER MOTOR BOTTOM COVER MAY MELT AND POTENTIALLY CATCH FIRE.

Remedy

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR BOTTOM COVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Potential Units Affected

195,080

Notes

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:10

Component

VISIBILITY:SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY

Summary

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 3, 2010, THROUGH JULY 1, 2011. THE MOONROOF GLASS MAY COME LOOSE OR DETACH. THE AMOUNT AND POSITION OF THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE GLASS AND RETAINER WAS INADEQUATELY APPLIED.

Consequences

THE MOONROOF GLASS CAN LOOSEN AND DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GLASS ADHESION CONDITION AND EITHER APPLY ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE OR REPLACE THE MOONROOF GLASS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Potential Units Affected

69,590

Notes

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:00

Component

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Summary

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.

Consequences

IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY DRILLING AN OIL LUBRICATION HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERNAL PARTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Potential Units Affected

809

Notes

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Summary

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequences

The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Potential Units Affected

47,419

Notes

Subaru of America, Inc.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

EQUIPMENT

Summary

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequences

The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Potential Units Affected

47,419

Notes

Subaru of America, Inc.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:21

Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Summary

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).

Consequences

Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.